“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you…being
confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good
work in
you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as
it is right
for me to think this of you…because I have you in my heart.”
{Philippians 1:3,6-7a}
For me, Mothers’ Day has
always been a sweet day of celebrating the wonderful women God has placed in my
life. Yet I know that, for many, this day is bittersweet, even bitter, for it brings
broken relationships to mind or conjures up memories of loved ones who have
entered into eternity.
This year, I could
empathize with those in whose hearts Mothers’ Day produces a bittersweet
flavor. On Mothers’ Day—May 10, 2015—my dear grandma, Luella Becker, went home
to be with the Lord.
Although our hope is in Jesus
and we know death is not the end but rather an entrance into the fullness of
everlasting life that is ours in Christ, it still seems a bitter, even cruel
ending to life. But even as these thoughts and emotions enter our minds and
hearts, we are reminded of the sweet reality that, since being absent from the
body means being present with the Lord, death is beautiful.
“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His
saints.”
{Psalm 116:15}
The Lord inspired me with
this poem, and I read it as a part of the prayer vigil that followed my grandma’s
visitation. It is written as if God is speaking to her.
I love you, Grandma.
<3
I am your Maker.
Before the world had been formed or the skies came to be,
Or the stars had exploded in a grand galaxy;
When I existed alone before the beginning of time—
You, dear Luella, were already Mine.
I knew the sweet woman I’d make you to be
And how I would use you to make known My glory.
I knew all your heartache and felt all your pain
And lovingly called you, dear daughter, by name.
I am your Keeper.
I was there at your birth when you took your first breath,
And I stood by your side till the day of your death.
Every moment that passed was a part of My plan,
For your name is engraved on the palm of My hand.
Through every dark trial, unshaken you stood,
In assurance that all would work out for your good.
You served Me in love as a mother and wife;
You were selfless and humble throughout your long life.
I am your Bridegroom.
Your heart I did fashion and make like my own
From your birth till the moment that I called you home.
You’re a reflection of Christ for all others to see—
Your life wasn’t about you, Luella, but Me.
And now you are with Me, My face you behold;
You dance with My Son on the streets made of gold.
So enter, dear daughter, the joy of your King,
And through endless ages to your Savior sing.
Just for fun…
As we prepared for the
funeral, we discovered a poem that I wrote for my grandma for her 80th
birthday. She was 70 years older than I, so I wrote this poem when I was 10! It
was supposed to be a tribute to my grandma, but it’s more like a chronology of
her offspring with a few historical tidbits thrown in here and there. I hope it gives you a chance to laugh or at
least smile. :)
Around the year
Of 1920 (She was actually born in 1924, but I
decided it was easier to rhyme with “twenty” than “four.”)
Shows the time
When she had plenty.
The zero-to-six years
Were full of surprises.
First Carl then Grace,
Just open your eyes!
1930 came ‘round
When there was some drought.
Dad never lost his job
That helped them out.
The elementary, middle,
And high school years came about.
Along came Patricia
Without any doubt.
1940 hit
That’s World War II. (in
case you were unaware…)
The young lady years
For just who?
Luella Mary
Mary Luella no more (She
legally changed her name.)
She’s got a job
At about 24. (This time, it was convenient to rhyme with “four.”)
The 50s hit
Along came the man
The long-awaited one
According to God’s plan.
Then came sons
One, two, and three.
Jack, Tom, and Richard
They’re now a family! (I was told this stanza and a few others in
the poem are reminiscent of the children’s book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.)
Forty years old
Comes Mary—number four
Two years later,
Let’s open the door…
Forty-two years old
Comes daughter number two.
Judy Becker
Oh, yes, that’s who!
The 70s and 80s came.
Oh, how the family grew!
See, Tom and Hayde married,
And Jack and Nancy, too!
And in those heartfelt 80s
Came Kelly—one, and Jenny—two,
Christopher—three, and Nicole—four.
The young grandchildren crew!
The 1990s are now here
Grandchildren five and six
Erica and Lisa—Is that it?
No, no! That’s fiddlesticks!
(Best line of the poem, in my
opinion. Where had I learned that expression?!?)
Mary and Armand married,
Then came grandchildren 7, 8, and 9.
Theresa, Rebecca, Peter. Is that it?
No, although it would be fine. (Sorry,
David!)
2000 came and two years later
Came grandchild number ten,
We are so thrilled to have another
Grandchild here again.
Now we’re at the present tense
Luella here is eighty.
We celebrate the years of joy
For Luella, our beloved lady.
